MANILA, Philippines - The death toll in a jeep mishap in Cebu province rose to three early Wednesday, even as the 59-year-old driver of the jeep is now in custody of authorities.
Radio dzBB's Cebu affiliate reported that 28 passengers were injured in the accident where the jeep went out of control and fell into a 50-foot ravine in Naga City.
The driver, initially identified as Mansueto Bidiot, escaped with minor scratches. He said the incident occurred at 1 p.m. at Pairan village in Naga City.
Authorities initially identified two of the fatalities as Ricarda Haying and Abundia Repeso, 50, who were dead on arrival at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.
The third fatality was identified as Genia Jimenez, who was declared dead on arrival at the South General Hospital.
Bidiot said the victims were heading for San Fernando City to attend a wake. He admitted he was not familiar with the route, and that the jeep's brakes failed and he lost control. - GMANews.TV